Dining Room Starter Kit

A few overpriced things I like to dream of owning and other ideas for your dining room.

I live in a studio apartment so I’m technically not allowed to have opinions on rooms, but I do! Today we’re talking about dining rooms.

Below you’ll find a few dining table ideas and my favorite ways to style them. My dining table is not included because I actually hate it and it’s from Am*zon. (I am not perfect.)

Dining Tables

Scandinavian Tables

Danish Modern Flip Top Table ($3,000)

Along with everyone else, I freakin’ love Scandinavian design.

Harling Ross Anton

(a writer whom I’ve long admired!) recently wrote a post on her favorite home purchases where she talked about this Danish Modern Flip Top Table and I can’t stop thinking about it. It is out of my current price range for a table, but maybe someone else will scoop it?? I am obsessed.

Search “Scandinavian dining table” for a similar look. The options may look mid-century…but better. I really love a simple IKEA table paired with fun chairs. The round legs + birch wood on this one are fab.

Formica Tables

Formica Table ($50)

Before I landed on my current (temporary) dining table, I really wanted a Formica kitchen table. Who doesn’t want to feel like they’re at an old diner? Plus, Formica tables are durable. There are a million of these well-priced on F*cebook marketplace.

Farmhouse Tables

Farmhouse dining table sourced from Craigslist

OK I can’t lie, I was not a farmhouse GORL until I worked with my very first design client. She was living in a converted steeple and we found the most beautiful table for cheap asf (see above) on Craigslist. It was then I started to see the vision. I wanted to pair it with some mismatched farmhouse chairs…

Mismatched farmhouse chairs from Etsy ($500 for four)

but we ended up going gothic. There are lots of beautiful farmhouse tables on Craigslist and F*cebook Marketplace. Pair it with unexpected chairs.

Circular (& Small) Tables

1960s Tulip Dining Table Set Styled After Eero Saarinen ($4,000)

The Tulip Dining Table was designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in the 50s and it still has a grip on us for good reason. You can find a million tulip-style tables secondhand.

Outside of the tulip design, small circular tables, in general, are great for small spaces, including bistro tables. I searched Kaiyo for all tables under 40x40 and there are a ton of delicious options, especially this Calligaris Modern Extendable Dining Table and this Kartell Invisible Table. Etsy is also great for tiny, handmade dining tables.

Dining Chairs

Dining chairs are a hot-button issue. I feel like they require their own newsletter. They also really depend on the dining table you have. Here are some that I love…

Cesca chairs via F*cebook Marketplace or Craigslist

Cesca Chair from Knoll

We have all seen these on Instagram. I have two at my dining table. I love them! I’m usually not a fan of dupes, but there are some good ones you can find secondhand.

These 1980s Memphis Chairs

1980s Memphis Chairs ($789 for four)

I was just going to list categories of chairs but then I found these and had to share them.

Chair Sets from Kaiyo/F*cebook Marketplace

This is quite specific, but Kaiyo has so many well-priced sets of dining chairs. I usually just filter to “Like New” “Excellent” and “Gently Used” to weigh my options. This is such an affordable + well-curated way to search. F*cebook marketplace is also great for this.

Dining chairs can be SO expensive and time-consuming to choose from. I’m going to send a newsletter JUST ABOUT CHAIRS next. More tk…

How to Decorate Your Dining Table

A Vase + Flowers

Shirt Vase by Lola Mayeras

Similar to a lot of home decor, a simple vase is great as a vehicle for some beautiful flowers. A fun vase is also great for that. This Shirt Vase by designer Lola Mayeras is a personal favorite.

Candle Holder

You need a candle holder and some taper candles to set the vibe. You can find soOo many simple, beautiful ones in the home goods section of your local thrift store for like, a dollar! Get a fun candle to spice things up, search “hand-painted taper candle” and pick your poison!

Placemats

Lunette Placemats in “Ice”

These Ugly Rugly placemats are one of a kind. I also like these ones from Etsy that remind me of my grandmother’s house.

A Table Cloth?

For some reason, I don’t like tablecloths. This may be because I love tables that can show themselves off and tables that are easy to clean. Misette, Hay, IKEA, and H&M Home have nice tablecloths! Etsy, of course, does as well.

A Runner

Fête Linen Embroidered Runner ($250)

I have never owned a runner. If I was in a different tax bracket, I would own this one from Misette.